Sound reducing unit for machinery

ABSTRACT

An open top housing formed of sound deadening material surrounds the lower portion of machinery with the upper portion of machinery encased by a movable housing formed of sound deadening material. A depending conduit extends through top of the movable housing with cooperating guide means between said top and the depending conduit limiting lateral movement between said top and the conduit. Movable housing is moved selectively along the conduit to an upper position spaced from the stationary housing to a lower position in cooperation with the stationary housing.

Montgomery l8l/33 K UX United States Patent 1 1 1 3,741,335

Lebeau 1 June 26, 1973 [54] SOUND REDUCING UNIT FOR MACHINERY 3,684,0538/1972 Fachbach et al 181/33 K 3,70 .1972 F 181 [75] Inventor: Rene D.Lebeau, Hartselle, Ala. 0 068 10/ rancls /33 K [73] Assignee:Woodworking Engineering & Primary Examiner-Richard B. WilkinsonMachinery Co. Inc., Hartselle, Ala. Assistant Examiner-John F. Gonzales[22] Filed: May 30, 1972 glrtlorrliey-Hugh P. Carter and Woodford R.Thomp- [21] Appl. No.: 257,512

57 ABSTRACT [5%] $8.81 181/33 K,Gll80l|/313l(iv)l(3) I \An Open tophousing formed ofsound deadening mate i i A 33 4 rial surrounds thelower portion of machinery with the 1 e 0 can {81/33 upper portion ofmachinery encased by a movable housing formed of sound deadeningmaterial. A dc pending conduit extends through top of the movable [56]References Cited housing with cooperating guide means between saidUNITED STATES PATENTS top and the depending conduit limiting lateralmove- 1,749,1 7 7 3/1930 Baxter et a1 181/33 K UX ment between said topand the conduit. Movable hous- 2,177,686 Bracken et 1 K UX ing is movedselectively'along the conduit to an upper 2,355,208 Devol et a1 131/33 KUX position spaced from the stationary housing to a lower position incooperation with the stationary housing.

11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures SOUND REDUCING UNIT FOR MACHINERYBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a sound reducingunit for sound emitting machinery and is particularly adapted for usewith machinery which processes raw materials, such as lumber and thelike.

As is well known in the art to which my invention relates, the reductionof noise in plants which employ power driven machinery is averydifflcult problem. This is especially true in view of the fact thatit is impractical to build a separate compartment for each piece ofmachinery and then provide means for conveying materials to be processedto the machinery. That is, a permanent enclosure for the machinery wouldnot only require a complicated structure but the structure would consumea considerable amount of floor space and at the same time it would bedifficult for maintenance workers to gain access to the machinery forrepairs and the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with my invention, I encase the machinery by a movablehousing formed of a sound deadeningmaterial. A depending conduit housing and through the top of the movablehousing and cooperating guide means is provided between the movablehousing and the. depending conduit limiting lateral movement of themovable housing relative to the conduit. Means is provided for movingthe movable housing selectively along the conduit to an upper positionspaced from a stationaryhousing or a supporting structure to provideaccess to the machineryand to a lower position in cooperation with thestationary housing or a supporting structure to provide a sounddeadening unit. The depending conduit thus serves a dual purpose ofproviding guide means for the movable housingand at the same timeproviding means for removing dust and other pollutants. I

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the apparatus in use forreducing sound;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, parts ofthe lifting mechanism being omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmental view showing the closure member at oneside of the passageway for introducing materials into the housing,partly broken away;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental view showing the closure member at the oppositeside of the passageway for introducing materials into the housing fromthat shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is, an enlarged, sectional view taken generally along the line6-6 of FIG. '4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmental, sectional view taken generally alongthe line 8-8 of FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of myinvention, I show an open top stationary housing 10 having upstandingside walls 11 disposed to surround the lower portion of sound emittingmachincry, not shown. As shown in FIG. 6, the side walls 11 are formedof a sound deadening material 12, such as fiberglass or the like. Theouter surface of the sound deadening material is covered by a protectivesheet of material 13, such as pressed, fire resistant, composition boardsold under the trademark MASONITE. The edges of the laminated members 12and 13 are secured to metal angle members 14 formed of a light material,such as aluminum. The metal angle members 14 may be formed of othermetals, if desired, such as steel.

Mounted in position to engage the upper edges of the stationary housing10 is an open bottom, movable housing 16 having depending side walls 17.As shown in FIG. 6, the sidewalls 17 are formed of a sound deadeningmaterial, such as fiberglass 12 which is covered by a protective sheet13, as described above. The upper edges of the side walls 17 are securedto a top wall 18 which is also formed of the sound deadening material,such as the fiberglass panel 12 and the protective sheet of material 13.Also, the edges of the panels 12 and 13 forming the'side walls 17 andthe top wall 18 are protected by the metal angle members 14 formed of alight material, such as aluminum. The side walls 11 and 17 and the topwall 18 may be reinforced by suitable means, such as reinforcing rods19, which extend diagonally of the side walls and the top wall, asshown.

As shown in FIG. 9, the top wall 18 is provided with a centrallydisposed passageway 21 therethrough for receiving the depending end 22of a conduit 23 for discharging dust, and the like, produced by themachinery. The conduit 23 is supported in a stationary position bysuitable means and an exhaust fan may be associated therewith fordischarging the materials passing into the conduit 23. To reduce thesound transmitted by the conduit 23, a transverse section of the'conduit23, indicated at 24, is formed of a sound deadening material, as shownin FIG. 2.

Secured rigidly to opposite sides of the depending portion 22 of theconduit 23 are vertically extending guide rails 26. While I have shownthe guide rails 26 as being generally T-shaped, as viewed in crosssection, it would be apparent that the guide rails 26 could be in theform of channel-like members or the like. Mounted on top of the movablehousing 16 are arcuate brackets 27 which are mounted adjacent theopening 21 and sur-- round the depending portion 22 of conduit 23, asshown in FIG. 9. Each bracket 27 is provided with an upstanding portion28 which terminates in end portions 29. As shown in FIG. 9, adjacent endportions 29 extend parallel to each other and are spaced from eachother. Mounted for rotation between the adjacent pairs of end portions29 on suitable shafts 31 are rollers 32 which are adapted to engage theguide rails 26 at opposite sides of the central portion of each guiderail, as clearly shown. Accordingly, the rollers 32 roll along the guiderails 26 as the movable housing 16 is raised and lowered. To move thehousing 16 to an upper position in spaced relation to the stationaryhousing, suitable lift units 33 are connected to the intermediateportions of flexible lift members 34 which in turn are connected to eyemembers 36 mounted on the angle members 14 surrounding the top wall 18,as shown in FIGS. 1, 2nd 3. In view of the fact that the lift units 33are conventional type units, such as block and tackle units, no furtherdescription thereof is deemed necessary.

Oppositely disposed passageways 37 are provided through opposite sides17 of the movable housing 16 for passing materials to beprocessed by themachinery confined therein. That is, the passageways 37 are each of asize to introduce and discharge materials being processed by themachinery, such as wood where the machinery is woodworking machinery.Secured to the side wall 17 adjacent the upper edges of the passageways37 are movable closure members 38 and 39 which are adapted to close thepassageways 37 while materials are not passing therethrough. Byproviding the movable closure members 38 and 39 at opposite sides of theopening 37, an air space is defined therebetween to further'reduce thenoise emitted. Each movable closure member 38 and 39 is formed of aflexible material and is provided with vertical slits 41 therein withthe slits 41 at opposite ends of the passageway 37 being out ofalignment with each other, as shown in FIG. 4. The upper edges of theflexible closure members 38 and 39 are secured in place by an upperhorizontal member 42 which defines one side of a rectangular grill 43which surrounds the opening 37 at opposite sides of the side wall 17, asclearly shown in FIG. 6.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the sound reducingunitwill be readily understood. The stationary housing 10 is mountedpermanently whereby .it surrounds the machinery. When the machinery isto be operated, the movable housing 16 is moved to its lower positioninto engagement with the upper edge of the stationary housing 10 bymeans of the lift mechanism 33. As the movable'housing is lowered, therollers 32 ride along. the'guide rails 26, thus limiting lateralmovement of the movable housing 16 relative to the stationary conduit23. With the housing 16 in its lowermost position, the dust, wood chipsand other materials produced by or discharged from the machinery isexhausted through the conduit 23. By forming the housings l and 16 andthe transverse section 24 of the conduit 23 of a sound deadeningmaterial, the sound produce'd-by the machinery is greatly reduced. Also,by providingself closing closure members 38 and 39 at opposite sidesofthe openings 37 for passing the materials to and from the machinery, Ifurther reduce the sound emitted from the apparatus. Vertical movementof the movable housing 16 along the guide rails 26 permits the housingto be moved selectively to an upper position in spaced relation to thestationary housing 10, to thus provide access to the machinery, and to alower position in cooperation with the upper portion of the side wallsof the lower housing to provide a sound proof unit.

' From the foregoing, it will be seen that l have devised an improvedsound reducing means for machinery. By providing sound reducingapparatus which also permits ready access to the machinery for repair,lubrication or the like, I greatly reduce the time required for suchmaintenance. Also, by providing a movable portion for the housing,together with a stationary housing unit which is positioned closelyadjacent the machinery, I greatly reduce the floor space required forthe sound reducing unit. Furthermore, by constructing the movablehousing of light, sound deadening material, the movable housing may bereadily raised and lowered with a minimum of effort.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various other changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A sound reducing unit for sound emitting machinery comprising:

a. an open bottom, movable housing formed of a sound deadening materialand having a top wall connected to depending side walls disposed tocooperate with a supporting structure to encase said machinery,

b. there being an opening through said top wall,

c. a conduit having a depending portion extending downwardly throughsaid opening in said top wall,

d. cooperating guide means between said top wall -and the dependingportion of said conduit limiting lateral movement of said top wallrelative to said conduit so that said movable housing is movableselectively to an upper position in spaced relation to said supportingstructure providing access to said machinery and to a lower position incooperation with said supporting structure, and

e. means to raise and lower said movable housing 2. A sound reducingunit for machinery as defined in claim 1 in which said supportingstructure is a stationary housing formedof a sound deadening materialdisposed to encase the lower portion of said machinery.

3. A sound reducing unit for machinery as defined in claim 1 inwhich amajor portion of the walls of said movable housing are formed of light,sound deadening material.

4. A sound'reducing unit for machinery as defined in claim 1 in whichthe major portion of the walls of said movable housing are formed offiberglass.

5. A soundreducing unit for machinery as defined in claim 1 in which theouter surface of said sound deadening material is covered by aprotective sheet of material.

6. A sound reducing unit for machinery as defined in claim 1 in whichreinforcing members extend diagonally alongside surfaces of said movablehousing to add strength and rigidity thereto.

7. A sound reducing unit as defined in claim 1 in which said cooperatingguide means between said top wall and the depending portion of saidconduit comprises: I

a. vertical guide rails carried by opposite sides of said dependingportion, and r l b. rollers carried by said top wall at opposite sidesof said depending portion and engaging said guide rails.

8. A sound reducing unit as defined in claim 1 in which a transversesection of said depending portion of said conduit is formed of a sounddeadening material.

9. A. sound reducing unit as defined in claim 1 in which oppositelydisposed passageways are provided through opposite sides of said sidewalls of said movable housing for passing materials to be processed bysaid machinery and movable closure members extend across saidpassageways to close said passageways while materials are not passingthrough said passageways.

10. A sound reducing unit as defined in claim 9 in which a movableclosure member is mounted at opposite ends of each said passagewaythrough said side walls to define an air space therebetween.

11. A sound reducing unit as defined in claim 10 in which each movableclosure member is a flexible member supported along its upper edgeadjacent the upper edge of the adjacent passageway and vertical slitsare provided in the lower portion of each closure member with saidvertical slits of the closure members at opposite ends of saidpassageway being out of alignment with each other.

# s: t s

1. A sound reducing unit for sound emitting machinery comprising: a. anopen bottom, movable housing formed of a sound deadening material andhaving a top wall connected to depending side walls disposed tocooperate with a supporting structure to encase said machinery, b. therebeing an opening through said top wall, c. a conduit having a dependingportion extending downwardly through said opening in said top wall, d.cooperating guide means between said top wall and the depending portionof said conduit limiting lateral movement of said top wall relatIve tosaid conduit so that said movable housing is movable selectively to anupper position in spaced relation to said supporting structure providingaccess to said machinery and to a lower position in cooperation withsaid supporting structure, and e. means to raise and lower said movablehousing
 2. A sound reducing unit for machinery as defined in claim 1 inwhich said supporting structure is a stationary housing formed of asound deadening material disposed to encase the lower portion of saidmachinery.
 3. A sound reducing unit for machinery as defined in claim 1in which a major portion of the walls of said movable housing are formedof light, sound deadening material.
 4. A sound reducing unit formachinery as defined in claim 1 in which the major portion of the wallsof said movable housing are formed of fiberglass.
 5. A sound reducingunit for machinery as defined in claim 1 in which the outer surface ofsaid sound deadening material is covered by a protective sheet ofmaterial.
 6. A sound reducing unit for machinery as defined in claim 1in which reinforcing members extend diagonally alongside surfaces ofsaid movable housing to add strength and rigidity thereto.
 7. A soundreducing unit as defined in claim 1 in which said cooperating guidemeans between said top wall and the depending portion of said conduitcomprises: a. vertical guide rails carried by opposite sides of saiddepending portion, and b. rollers carried by said top wall at oppositesides of said depending portion and engaging said guide rails.
 8. Asound reducing unit as defined in claim 1 in which a transverse sectionof said depending portion of said conduit is formed of a sound deadeningmaterial.
 9. A sound reducing unit as defined in claim 1 in whichoppositely disposed passageways are provided through opposite sides ofsaid side walls of said movable housing for passing materials to beprocessed by said machinery and movable closure members extend acrosssaid passageways to close said passageways while materials are notpassing through said passageways.
 10. A sound reducing unit as definedin claim 9 in which a movable closure member is mounted at opposite endsof each said passageway through said side walls to define an air spacetherebetween.
 11. A sound reducing unit as defined in claim 10 in whicheach movable closure member is a flexible member supported along itsupper edge adjacent the upper edge of the adjacent passageway andvertical slits are provided in the lower portion of each closure memberwith said vertical slits of the closure members at opposite ends of saidpassageway being out of alignment with each other.